Shark's Gut
Cocos (Keeling) Islands · Australia
A deep channel cutting through the western reef brings open-ocean species into contact with the atoll structure. Silvertip sharks and grey reef sharks are resident, hammerheads appear regularly at depth, and occasional whale sharks pass through on the surface. The channel walls are draped in sea fans and black coral from 20 m down, with strong currents delivering plankton and the larger animals that feed on them.
Conditions
Depth
10 to 35 m
Advanced depths
Current
Often strong
Can pick up on the edge
Visibility
22 to 35 m
Clearest in the calm season
Water
26 to 30°C
3mm wetsuit
Month by month
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Water (°C) | 28 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 27 | 26 | 26 | 26 | 27 | 27 | 28 | 28 |
| Vis (m) | 18 | 18 | 20 | 22 | 22 | 22 | 22 | 22 | 22 | 20 | 19 | 18 |
| Current | Moderate | Moderate | Moderate | Gentle | Moderate | Strong | Strong | Strong | Moderate | Moderate | Gentle | Moderate |
Your chances of seeing each animal
Grouper
Last confirmed May 17, 2026 · 27 records
Very likely
Most dives
Grey Reef Shark
Last confirmed Oct 14, 2025 · 8 records
Very likely
Most dives
Bumphead Parrotfish
Last confirmed May 14, 2026 · 9 records
Very likely
Most dives
Silvertip Shark
Expected
Known here, not yet in recent logs
Black Coral
Expected
Known here, not yet in recent logs
Sea Fan
Expected
Known here, not yet in recent logs
Giant Trevally
Expected
Known here, not yet in recent logs
Scalloped Hammerhead Shark
Expected
Known here, not yet in recent logs
Gear